Whether you’re starting seeds off in the cold, winter months, encouraging cuttings to root or raising tender plants originally from warmer climates, a constant heat source will help create the best conditions to nurture them. Heated propagators are an ideal accessory which, depending on the type you choose, either offers a consistent, ambient temperature or can be set at a particular temperature to suit your needs.
Because of our cooler temperatures, warmer climate plants like tomatoes, aubergines, chilli and bell peppers and squashes need a long growing season to give them time to grow, flower, produce fruit and for the fruit to ripen. Germinating them indoors in a heated propagator early in the year, when outside it would be much too cold for them to grow, ensures they get the long growing season they need. But even hardier and native plants benefit from being germinated at a constant temperature.
Essentially a watertight plastic tray with a clear lid, heated propagators contain a heating element that keeps the soil at a steady, warm temperature, which encourages root growth in both seeds and cuttings. A basic propagator is pre-set to 15C-21C, the optimum temperature for germination, while more sophisticated models have a soil thermometer and a thermostat to give you greater control depending on what you’re growing.
Another option is a heat mat. Simply, a rubber or plastic mat with a heating coil inside to provide bottom heat to seedlings and plants, they’re a cheaper way to help increase germination and easy to use- simply lay the mat out flat on a dry, even surface and place your tray of seedlings or pots on top. However, they lack a cover and so are unable to create humid conditions, which is also beneficial when